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Volume 102

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PuyalluP HIgH scHool

Classes and curriculum pass at a faster pace (3-4 months)

ap y

Colleges can manipulate grades and credits transfer easily

all colleges accePt aP cReDIts

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Retakes available

ability to choose professor

Wide variety of classes available

High school atmosphere

ru D AND RE-ENTER CLASSES n DROP EASILY n i n g LONGER BREAKS OFF SCHOOL Prepares for st a college atmosphere and a the intensity of college classes r t Three quarters in a school year

Colleges give first admission priority to students in AP courses

GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL WITH AN ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE

counts as a high school credit, even if it is advanced Placement

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Memorial held to honor teacher B y

pa T r i c k fa i r B a n k S a & e e d i T o r

a memorial was held jan. 10, to celebrate the life of maggie jane Wall, former teacher at PHs. Wall passed away Dec. 25 after a battle with illness. there were over 100 people in attendance at the memorial: family, as well as former and current students and colleagues. social studies teacher frederick orton, personal friend and colleague

Challenge Day inspires

smaller classes, teachers are more personable and know their students

flexible schedule

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105 7 t H st. s W Pu ya l lu P Wa sH, 98371

adVanCed pLaCement running start D More involved at school, gives more opportunities to be a part of clubs and sports

Travel motivates staffer

of Wall spoke at the memorial and commented on the attendance. “[the attendance was] a real testament to her legacy at Puyallup High school. especially {because} a lot of the people there were former students of hers [from] 24 or 25 years of teaching. Her former students are in their 30s and 40s. a lot of them are very successful business people and her being their business teacher, she kind of got them started,” orton said. Wall taught everything from

Business and marketing to Interior Design, five class periods worth. orton also commented on how Wall prepared her students for the business world. “she ran the student store and the espresso Bar. on top of that she taught five classes. every period was a different class, so she had to prepare every day for five subjects. In [the business] world, you are pulled into a million directions, she brought that experience from the real world into the classroom,” orton said.

ly d i a J o h n S o n r e p o r T e r

nce a year each high school in the Puyallup school District hosts challenge Day for 100 students and staff members. challenge Day is just one part of the change Project, which is also implemented into advisory classes. one of the things students have done for the change Project is brainstorm ways to improve the school. However, there have been difficulties. “We have an idea of what we want to do and have thought of a process but we do not know how to get it implemented schoolwide,” english teacher cherokee ainslie said. another issue that has come up is apathy in students. “It is really hard to engage people who are normally not engaged at all and do not care,” senior gabi touriel said. at Puyallup High school challenge Day serves as a foundation to the change Project, which career specialist shelley jellison started several years ago. “the reason we are doing challenge Day is because this program has been proven to help improve the climate of a school,” jellison said. “the theory is that the change that happens with those 100 students and staff members will then come into the bigger population of the school.” challenge Day is meant to better the environment of the entire school but directly influences only a fraction of the total population. “I think challenge Day should be here maybe twice a year,” touriel said. “that way more kids can go, because I really feel this is a needed event that people need to experience in high school.” future plans for the affair include expanding to include more people. “We would eventually like to offer [challenge Day] to all of the secondary schools,” jellison said. “We would love to see from the time a student starts in seventh grade to the time they graduate that at some point they have gotten to participate in challenge Day. It is a concern that we can only have 100 students. During the selection process we are very conscious in having a wide variety of students involved. It is a slice of what Puyallup High school has in its student population.” enlarging the event would certainly be beneficial, as it helps students and staff find common ground with one another. additionally, there is much interest in it. “this year, I have had a lot of kids ask how they can get to be part of the change Project or at least challenge Day,” ainslie said. “I have never really had that happen in the past, so it is kind of neat to have kids asking now.” In the diversity of the group of 100, challenge Day helps to bridge social differences and relate students. “especially in high school, we are constantly surrounded by an environment with a lot of pressures, especially social pressures,” touriel said. “sometimes we change ourselves drastically to fit social pressures and we should not have to. I think challenge Day is a really nice way to also show people that once you get out in the real world it is only going to be just you, so you might as well just love yourself. I like that it allows people to be stripped down emotionally to the same level. It allows them to see people equally as their own.” ainslie has seen the effects of challenge Day within the school. “I do think that since we have started having [challenge Day] our community has become better,” ainslie said. one of challenge Day’s goals is to influence the climate of the school. Because of the limited number of participants is limited, its effects rely completely upon the participant’s actions. “It has impacted us kids that were involved in it but how it impacts the school is on us,” touriel said. “I know personally, I am doing things to better the school. I am talking to people that I do not normally talk to; I am giving high fives everyday; just little things. It is really our responsibility to impact the school now that we have been impacted.”

OPINION

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E DI TOR-I N- C H I E F........................... A BBY DOV R E MANAGING EDITOR.......................GABE CARROLL OPINION EDITOR..........................MADDY LUCAS FEATURES EDITOR........................SIERRA TRYON FOCUS EDITOR.............................EMMA MILLER A&E EDITOR.........................PATR ICK FA IR BA NKS SPORTS EDITOR.............................SERENA FINK NEWS EDITOR...................................SAMI LYNN AD MANAGER...............................JAYCEE HOUSE CIRCULATION MANAGER..................... TIA LUTHY SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR........................SAMI LYNN PHOTO EDITOR............................BAILEY PLUMB GR A PH IC S E DI TOR ................. S AVA N N A H JA R R E T T PHOTOGRAPHERS.........................SEAN FRIEBEL ................................................EMMA MILLER WEB MANAGER................................ABBY DOVRE REPORTERS..................................EMILY BAKER ................................................JAYCEE HOUSE ..............................................LYDIA JOHNSON .....................................................TI A LU TH Y ...........................................KAMERAN MILLER ...................................................KYLE SMITH ADVISER.............................SANDRA COYER, MJE EDITORIAL POLICY:

The Viking Vanguard operates as a limited forum. The Viking Vanguard’s duty is to expand student perspectives, maintain community relations and act as a student publication advocating voice. Besides providing an opportunity for the exchange of viewpoints, The Viking Vanguard serves as an academic tool by which students can voice opinions as well as highlight issues facing today’s students.

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COMMUNITY FORMS UNITY

able to not only unite people but create real change. The Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl. Whether it be a football team, a community service If you have not heard, you must have been living under a project or an after school club, involving yourself with a rock for the past week. Washingtonians are still celebrating the victory achieved group of people working towards a cause is beneficial. These sources of unity do not always have to come from in Seattle this past Sunday. The 12th Man flag flies high on buildings around the Puget Sound and blue and green an organized group or club. Often times these relations seems to have worked their way into everyone’s wardrobes. sprout from common passions, hobbies or interests. While some could argue these passions could be enjoyed An entire state coming together to support a team. While football may not be your thing and you may find individually, when even simple joys are shared between two people, their value is amplified the hype of the big game coming up “WE ENCOURAGE significantly. anything to get excited about, something EACH AND EVERY In this issue of The Viking Vanguard, can be drawn from the Seahawks victory PERSON TO GO several students and staff have been and the resulting brouhaha. OUT AND FIND featured for their participation in unique A community has been formed around the success of our football team. People S O M E T H I N G T H E Y and uncommon recreational passions. A RE PASSIONATE We encourage you to read of their varied from all different backgrounds now have A BOU T.” hobbies in the Focus section and to a commonality, a team and an upcoming embrace the individual interests you hold game to discuss. The hallways are filled OUR VIEW yourself. with trash talk, point-spread predictions We encourage each and every person and all around excitement for the to go out and find something they are upcoming Super Bowl Feb. 2. Students and teachers, young and old have all come together over a passionate about. Something to dedicate yourself and your time to. Just within the community of Puyallup single football team. Power exists in humans coming together for a cause. A there are club sports, volunteer opportunities, church groups and book clubs to name a few. Each of these connection among people with similar interests. This connection does not come solely from the success of creates a community to surround it and its goals. Within the local football team, it comes from any occasion humans each of these communities, change is made. Whether it join together. Anywhere humans cooperate to achieve be the enjoyment of discussing your favorite book’s main a goal, a community is created. When this community is character with others or serving alongside others at the created, amazing things can happen. Communities are local soup kitchen the benefit is immeasurable.

Editorial Cartoon

LETTER POLICY:

The Viking Vanguard accepts unsolicited copy from businesses. Only signed and dated letters with addresses and phone numbers from community members or grade level from students will be accepted. Letters must be limited to 350 words and will be published as space is available. The staff reserves the right to edit any letter without changing it’s content. All letters are the sole opinion of the writer and do not necessarily represent the opinion of The Viking Vanguard staff. Letters to the Editor may be submitted by E-Mailing them to thevikingvanguard@gmail.com or mailing them to The Viking Vanguard c/o Puyallup High School

The Viking Vanguard staff values accuracy and wishes to correct mistakes made in previous issues. If you believe we have made an error, please contact us at: thevikingvanguard@gmail.com.

Check out additional news, stories and photos on our website:

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The Viking Vanguard publication staff accepts advertisements for most products available to the public. However, the staff reserves the right to reject, edit or cancel any advertisement at anytime. Advertisements shall be free of implications that the staff deems offensive in light of normal public standards (WIAA 18.20.0 and 18.20.1) and will not be accepted. The staff will not accept advertising for products or groups which are racist, sexist or illegal for high school students. Advertisements do not necessarily reflect the views, endorsements and/or positions of The Viking Vanguard, student body, faculty, administration or school board.

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Breakup season approaches vikingvanguard.com

The time has come, I admit it, school hallways terrify me. to look forward to that day was a hamburger. These couples are pulling magnetic forces apart, your But now as months and months of waiting has taken place, those couples you see will disappear before your eyes in a relationship with this patty and bun is over, forever. I am sorry for your loss of appetite and affection towards that magic trick I like to call breakup season. hamburger. Oh how lovey-dovey a school hallway can be. Welcome breakup season. Yes, this is a thing. Year after year I have waited in agony for these In an article by Rob Gould in the Portland Press few months, which are similar to Christmas Day, Herald, he provides information gathered from offering a very rewarding present: my personal Facebook statuses proving this love drought does bubble. exist and occurs from January to March. Accidently running into a guy with open arms Christmas is over, say goodbye to Holiday waiting for his loving companion to arrive; trust cheer, it is back to a regular work schedule and a me, dude, I did NOT mean to hug you. deprived bank account from all of the blue boxes Making awkward eye contact with a couple with Tiffany bracelets, Calvin Klein watches and while they are holding each other’s hearts in Kate Spade handbags purchased and gifted. the palm of their hand is an odd experience, After the gifts are given lust fades into the dark especially when I know I am going to pull out my SAMI LY NN months of rain and typical Pacific Northwest magic wand. Poof, be gone. NEWS EDITOR weather. Ain’t nobody got time for that; seriously, you Here is a plus, all of the loners in the hallway, only have five minutes. No one wants to up-chuck their lunch because of that including myself will be overjoyed with excitement while one couple. You might have had a really good lunch. breakup season takes place. The negatives? The people who get dumped, I am truly sorry. Then again, that is a big Imagine the effects barfing could have. It could be a very traumatic experience. The headline– positive since they get to join us with a hatred of gooey love. Breakup season is upon us. Congratulations singles, “The day my beloved hamburger and her species became extinct to me, I will never love again,” –maybe all you had enjoy the next few months.

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InternatIonal travels InspIre staffer

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I have always dreamed of being able to live in a big of the best experiences I could have asked for. My journey started in London. I rode the London Eye city, live in a high-rise apartment and write stories while overlooking Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. I walked clutching a cup of coffee and looking out at city lights. down unfamiliar streets and talked to people I want to live the “posh” life of traveling who were equally interested in my culture as I every few months to explore new places and be was in theirs. inclined to learn more about different cultures Paris is a beautiful city in my dreams filled for quite a while. with pink poodles, French macaroons and Until last year I did not know what life outside scarves. of the United States was like. I assumed seeing Since it was 110 degrees in Paris when I was a supermarket and a fast food restaurant on visiting, it was the turning point of where my every corner was standard. dizzying sickness began. Last summer was my big break to go and I have never been much of a water drinker. explore the wondrous world we live in. I It just so happens that you have to drink water skipped through the SeaTac airport, hopped SAMI LY NN in higher temperatures or you will come very upon an extravagant plane and woke up in a NEWS EDITOr close to passing out. I have heard stories of completely different country. Great Britain was what happened but I do not recall them myself. waiting for me. Apparently I had been sitting in a friendly French The first British word I encountered was “Piccadilly.” We got off at the stop Piccadilly Circus and sat in Piccadilly restaurant and my friends had asked me what I did that day. Square on a delightfully sunny day. “Oh you know, I put a lock on the lock bridge near the Although on my first few days I became dehydrated from the enormous amount of heat in the UK and went Notre Dame Cathedral and put my name on one side. through trance-like actions, it all worked out and was one Hopefully I can come back someday with my husband

and write his name on the other side,” I said. Keep in mind that I was trying to keep my composure in the midst of feeling completely loopy. One of my good friends, Josh Carlisle, was tormenting me. “You know what that means, right? You will never get married and you will never find love,” Carlisle said. Of course in all my lucidness, I believed him, did not recognize his sarcasm and started crying. The rest of my trip included visiting Heidelberg, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Slovakia, Prague and Berlin. The epitome of European cities was Salzburg, Vienna and Prague. All of them included towering architecture, elevated food and inviting townspeople. I will forever miss the amusement park, Prater, where we walked three miles to get on Austrian rides for large rates of currency. But it was worth the experience of go-karting, getting puked on by someone on the Black Mamba and riding Austrian Undergrounds. After visiting these wondrous places, I can reassure myself that someday I will be writing books and visiting cities of all kinds when I grow older. A lifestyle of travel will be a significant part of my future and is waiting just around the corner.

Unaffection for public displays of affection

retend you do not see the couple wrapped in each other’s arms as if they are not so much of your private life to us but I am sorry but the majority do not want to see it. When it comes to public display of affection, a little bit can go a long way. going to see one another for the next five years. Do not be so under affectionate that no one would know you are dating but Do not make eye contact. do not be all over each other either. That is just an uncomfortable mess. Keep your head down. I am all for hand holding. You can even give a quick hug and peck as you Let the shame of being single sink in. This has been another awkward depart to your class. Seeing a couple be sweet to each other is refreshing; but encounter with public display of affection. seeing two people grab and smother one another can be nauseating. We have all been there — single or not. Nothing is worse than trying to make it It is a matter of respect. For your peers, your teachers, your significant to your next class while also swerving and bobbing through hormone-enraged other and respect for yourself. Everyone that walks by can see what you are teenagers and their significant others. doing. Is that the message you want to send to the rest of the student body? If I have to side step around you because you are too preoccupied to notice I It is not just the students who have an issue with PDA. Teachers especially need through, then there is a problem. could do without it. School is their work place and we should treat it as so. Take the third floor before school for example. Basically a gigantic group date. Seven or eight couples standing, sitting and even laying in the hallway K A MrEErPAONr TMEI rL L E r Self-control is key. Just enjoy seeing one another in passing period. There is no real reason to be in each other's business at any chance you getting a nice cuddle session in before school. Walking down that hallway is the get there is plenty of time for that after school hours. If you can hold off until bane of my existence. Is it really necessary to stand in such a public place — a high school hallway during the end of the day, you would be doing us all a huge favor. passing period — and do things that are so private? You may be comfortable exposing Just try not to crowd the hallway and please — keep it PG.

yadda!

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Q: What is your favorite hobby outside of school?

“[I LIKE] LISTENING TO M USIC .”

“[ I L I K E TO ] DA NC E .”

“[I LIKE] SWING DA NC I NG.”

“[ I L I K E ] SI NGI NG.”

“I LIKE BEING OUTSIDE, WALKING Or HIKING WITH MY FA M I LY.”

rEECE MEISSEL SOPHOMOrE

COUrTNEY SOLSBErrY JUNIOr

SEBASTIAN BArTELLA SENIOr

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Student Fitness:

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of girls are on the cheer team

Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri.

Sat. Sun.

10.47 % work out 0 days a week

5. 43% are on

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In January, 569 students were surveyed about the type and amount of physical activity in their life. these are the results:

4.55% play water polo

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14.02 % work out 1- 2 days a week 29.89 % work out

10.77 % of sudents

2 - 4 days a week

bike outside of school

27.7 % work out 4 - 6 days a week 5.92 % work out 6 - 7 days a week

Amount of time spent for each workout: Zero minutes-10.51 % less than 30 minutes- 7.3 % 30-60 minutes- 37.65 % 60-90 minutes- 17.83 %

are 1% ofonfemales an equestrain

90-120 minutes- 17.07 %

team

Over 120 minutes- 9.6 %

18.31 % of students do gym workouts outside of school

19.09 % of females run outside of school versus 16.19 % of males who

run outside of school

5.81 % of students play on the school soccer team

4.29 % of students play on the school tennis team

7.58 % of students

are on the school track team

10.4 % of males play school football

5.13 % of students play on the school basketball team

FOCUS

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THE SCHOOL GROUNDS

The unique passions of PHS students and staff PG. 5

PG. 6 and 7

Cycling Retro Video Game Collecting

Knitting Scuba Diving Sprint Car Racing

PG. 8

Equestrianism Rugby

Pettie collects retro video games

SEGERS CYCLES B Y

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he hobby of bicycling consists of many activities including racing, mountain bike riding and simple commuting. Mathematics and physics teacher Michael Segers loves to participate in all of these activities. Bike riding is a very versatile hobby that can be done in every weather condition Segers according to Segers. “I “I started racing in college; that is where I became said. interested in [bike riding]. I raced all through college s t a r t e d in and these would be road [bike races] and mountain racing and biking. When I was in college I started to become 1984 probably a pretty big site and mountain bike racer as well. I I pretty commuted pretty much everywhere by bike. I did raced not even really own a car until I was 23 because I solid for 10 years. When my rode everywhere,” Segers said. Racing was not the only part of bicycling Segers children were young I enjoyed as he even finds time to ride in rainy weather. had to take a few years off and I raced sort “I got into track racing, which of intermittently for would be racing on a velodrome, “I STARTED quite a while. For the in 1991. I did a little bit of track RACING IN past five or six years I have not racing but mostly road racing. The 1984 AND I raced at all but I still ride for fitness hobby part of [bike riding] has been PROBABLY and recreation and I still bike mostly racing. I am also an avid RACED PRETTY commute any time that I can get bicycle commuter [even in] rain, SOLID FOR 10 from point A to point B by bicycle.” snow and dark I can get from here Y E A R S.” The meditative component of to wherever, usually if I can find bicycling is part of why Segers some safe corridor then I will use MICHAEL SEGERS enjoys riding his bike. my bike,” Segers said. PHYSICS TEACHER “I find [bike riding] to be a time to Although for Segers bicycling as reflect and meditate. I do not wear a hobby started in college, he still headphones for a couple reasons: one is, I wanted finds time to ride now. “I was just walking around campus one day and to be purposefully bored enough to actually have to there was a semiprofessional bike race and I just think and daydream. I also do not wear headphones stood there and watched it. I did not realize how much that have to have my ears available to hear cars racing took place locally, I thought it was all ‘you are around me. I now find riding to be a time to get away a professional bike racer or you just do not race’,” and to think,” Segers said.

K Y L E S M I T H R E P O R T E R

From 1980s dusty arcade cabinets to the modern video game consoles, video games have had a long history starting back in 1958, according to an article from Brookhaven National Laboratory. In 54 years of existing, many video games have become outdated pieces of the industry’s history. Senior Carson Pettie is an enthusiast for these pieces of video game history, boasting a large collection of video game consoles. “I have 31 different consoles, 11 different handhelds and three different arcade cabinets,” Pettie said. To find these artifacts Pettie searches various avenues of buying and selling older products. “I go around looking for video games at various thrift stores, game stores, garage sales and on Craigslist and eBay. It gives me something to do while I am out and now I keep an open eye wherever I go looking for games,” Pettie said. “My proudest find is my Vectrex. I got it off Craigslist for $100 and it’s worth about $500 with everything it came with.” Pettie explains why he collects and what goes through his mind when he is about to make a purchase. “I have friends who collect games so it made it a little more fun to be able to talk about it with them. Usually I do not buy things unless I know I am getting a good deal. But if it is something I do not have then I am willing to pay a bit more. Like in the case of the Vectrex. I have spent a lot of money on getting my collection to where it is today. But it is alright because I know it is worth well more than what I got it all for,” Pettie said.

Pettie’s 31 consoles -Coleco Telstar -Wonder Wizard -Odyssey 200 -Colecovision -Intellivision -Atari 2600 -Odyssey 2 -Bally Astrocade -Vectrex -Phillips Cd-i -Xbox -Wii U -TI-99 -Game Wave Family Entertainment System -Panasonic 3DO -Commodore 64 -XaviX Port -Famicom -Sega Pico -Sega Master System -Sega Genesis -Sega Saturn -Sega Dreamcast -Nintendo Entertainment System -Super Nintendo Entertainment System -Nintendo 64 -GameCube -PlayStation 1 -PlayStation 2 -PlayStation 3 -Xbox 360

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For most, flying across dirt tracks at high speeds in a sprint car is not something they can list on their resume but senior Trey Starks has been racing for most of his life. “Sprint car is what I race,” Starks said. “It started as a family thing and my grandpa started racing in the 70s. It has been a part of my family ever since. My dad raced and now I race, it is carrying out the family tradition.” In a sport typically participated in by those much older than the average high school student, Starks stands out as a young competitor. “I started [racing sprint cars] when I was 14 and when I started I was actually particularly young for sprint cars because everybody [in the sport] is a lot older: in their 30s, 40s, 50s,” Starks said. “So I am kind of the youngest one around, even still. It was crazy when I was 14 how the big hype

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was like, ‘Oh I do not even have my driver’s license yet.’” Being a sport enjoyed by countries around the globe, sprint racing has brought Starks to many distant locales. “We have been to California, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Ohio; we have kind of been all over with the whole racing deal. It has been an opportunity for me to travel and to see some new places,” Starks said. According to Starks, races are often large events. “Some [racing events] are two days or three days and the biggest race I have ever been to was a fourday event. There is money involved too, the highest paying race I have ever been to was a $150,000 win. It gets pretty crazy sometimes,” Starks said. For Starks, his dedication to the sport seems to have paid off. “I won a pretty cool memorial race up in Skagit, which is around Bellingham. It was a memorial race for one of the guys who raced up there, so that was pretty cool,” Starks said. “In the last five or four years I have had five different wins and they have all been pretty cool, especially because of the family involvement in it.” Other wins have provided Starks with

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memories. “It was the first race my parents had [not attended] and it was just me and my crew-chief, the guy that takes care of our car, who journeyed down to California for one of the races,” Starks said. “So it was just us two on our own and we ended up going down and winning a race. It was cool being able to call m dad and my grandpa and tell them w we had done because it was a big rac it was just us… It showed that we c independent. Even though they were I could tell my whole family was still they were still supporting me.” But for Starks, racing is not only a also an aspiring future career. “I really hope to keep [racing] into I do not have to get a real job and I racing but that is kind of hard to come Career or not, Starks does not want t “Some guys are like, ‘Oh, I want to go to do this and that,’ I am just really lo the opportunity to do, I just want to kee to have to stop like some guys have,” St Starks says he has been able to ap racing to other aspects of his life. “You can look at life as a race; you c finish line. Figuring out what your finish thing,” Starks said.

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“You do some pool work, where they teach you the skills, you have to demonstrate the skills and you get familiar with the equipment,” Sirl said. “Then you do your Not many people can say that they have hung open water, so you go out there in the Puget Sound [and] you demonstrate those around lemon sharks, tiger sharks, manta rays and skills again in actual salt water at depth [30 feet].” The weekend after he became certified, Sirl dived at the Edmonds Underwater octopuses. Very few can say that they have also entered kite competitions, directed musicals, Park because it was a relatively safe and shallow area. After that, Sirl went on a big diving trip with his friend who had booked the trip taught at a high school and roller skated. In fact, these experiences collectively in advance. “The next week we went to Grand Cayman, which is one of the hottest dive spots might be limited to one person: drama in the world and I did 11 dives. On my very first dive in Grand Cayman, I went to 108 teacher Peter Sirl. Sirl’s life and interests are feet when I was only supposed to go to 100 [feet],” Sirl said. Since then, Sirl has continued to dive in various locations and has collected a split between water and land, something that makes sense variety of favorites. “I have a lot of favorite places to dive. Cove Two [in Seacrest Park], where we dive for someone who was raised so close to the on Saturday nights here in Puget Sound is wonderful but that is like my home room so I love it there,” Sirl said. “I have dove [in] Hawaii and that is amazing and pretty ocean. “I have always been but my favorite dive place that I have been is [in] the Bahamas when I go with the fascinated by the sea. I tiger sharks.” Not everyone would enjoy coming in close contact with sharks, but grew up on the Sirl say he enjoys it immensely in spite of the dangers. On his first dive beach in Southern with sharks Sirl was too excited and determined to be scared. California, so I grew “I H AV E “I was focused; very, very focused and for a lack of a better word [I up on docks and ... down ALWAYS was] completely amped up,” Sirl said. at the waves,” Sirl said. BEEN Remaining focused is very important because sharks, after all, are Sirl watched shows such as FASCINATED predators and if you do not respond to them correctly you could risk “Sea Hunt” and “The Undersea BY THE being bitten. To prevent this you must be taught how to handle sharks. World of Jacques Cousteau” as SE A .” “The rule is the shark can never touch you, you always contact the a kid, all of which revolved around shark. When [the sharks] get close you have to put your camera out and diving and the mysteries of the ocean. guide [them] or you put your hand on top of [their] head and guide In 1999, Sirl became certified in diving PETER SIRL DRAMA TEACHER them away,” Sirl said. and received his C-card, a wallet-sized card Sirl has no plans to stop diving (or any of his other hobbies) anytime that proves someone has completed their training. The training process takes around 30 hours total to soon. He hopes to someday dive in Fiji, Micronesia, Indonesia and Pulou (where they have 20 feet wide manta rays). complete. After wanting to be a scuba diver for so long, Sirl now gets to live out one of his “Your initial training is some class work, where they teach you about dive tables and... the history of scuba,” Sirl said. “They teach childhood dreams almost every week. Sirl said that finally achieving his scuba diving goal was, “ … So thrilling and you verbally and visually about all of the equipment [and] they teach you amazing. It was just wonderful … It was everything that I wished it would have about what the body does (the physiology around diving).” The class takes around 20 hours before you continue on to do physical been.” training. B Y

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When it comes to knitting, the stereotypical image of an old woman sitting in her rocking chair clacking her knitting needles together often comes to mind. In reality, the craft is not exclusive to grandmas and it does not require any whitehaired wisdom in order to be mastered. According to Olivia Gordan in her article “Knitting: How it All Began,” the history of knitting i n c l u d e s everyone f r o m sailors to shepherds participating in the craft. After knitting was industrialized, however, knitting by hand

hobbies and has found that many people find became an art form. “It even became a moral duty-- girls were her knitting unique. “Most people think it is cool because it is not expected to learn to knit and complete a set number of rows every day, and ladies carried as common as it once was,” Connolly said. While the hobby is no longer a moral duty their knitting with them to social occasions,” or current trend like it was in the early 2000s, Gordan said in her article. knitters speculate that it is making This is no longer the case in yet another comeback. Google’s modern times but junior Keely 13th annual Zeitgeist collection Connolly continues to prove that “I FIRST announced ‘How to Knit’ was the knitting is not a lost art. STARTED fifth most popular How-to search, “I first started knitting when I was KNITTING right under ‘How to Blog’. six,” Connolly said. WHEN I This possible growth in popularity Connolly was taught how to knit WA S SI X .” makes sense to Connolly. by her grandmother after showing “My favorite thing about knitting interest in the hobby and continues KEELY CONNOLLY is that it is very calming. [The] to knit as much as she can. JUNIOR benefits... are that it is a cheap “I knit whenever I have time, hobby and you can make a scarf [which is] usually after school,” that would be $20 at a store [for only] $5.” Connolly said. Whether knitting becomes popular again Along with knitting, Connolly also has interests or fades into obscurity it seems fairly safe to in embroidering and sewing. “I got into sewing [when I was] about six but I assume that Connolly will continue to break the just got into embroidering this year. I would say stereotypes surrounding the craft and show that embroidering is the hardest [because] it takes a age has nothing to do with what hobbies you choose to enjoy. lot of patience and detail,” Connolly said. Connolly favors knitting out of her three

g my what ce and could be e not there involved and

current hobby but

the future. I really hope can make a living off of e by,” Starks said. to stop. o to NASCAR,’ ‘Oh, I want ooking for whatever I get ep doing it, I do not want tarks said. pply many lessons from

can always focus on that h line is, that is the whole

The Viking Vanguard decided to focus on the lesser known hobbies of the students and staff; the activities that do not have school clubs and teams associated with them.

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a 1,000 pound animal that you have little to no control over yet. I remember I wanted someone Equestrianism, also known as horseback with me at all times and I only wanted to walk,” riding, is a hobby that occupied the time of Martin said. “After a while that fear disappears knights and noblemen of yesteryear and still as you learn better control and handling, I mean look at me now, I am [riding] whenever persists into today's culture. Sophomore Rebecca Martin is one such given the chance. I try to be out with Snickers every day and I do the best I can horse enthusiast, who values to ride in the winter months every nuance of riding horses. while also juggling school “Horses were and still are a “... YOU H AV E work.” big part of how people live. Not JUST BEEN PUT Martin talks about one only used for transportation I ON TOP OF A significant experience she had see horses as great therapy. I 1,000 POUND when she went on a trail ride. love everything about horses ANIMAL THAT “I usually let Snickers pick the from their coat color to their YOU H AV E trail she wants to go down but breed to the way they ride and LITTLE TO NO this time I decided I wanted to their personalities, but what CONTROL OVER try out a trail I had never been I love most is the comfort, Y ET.” down. I grabbed the reins and joy and freedom my horse led her in the direction I wanted can give me,” Martin said. REBECCA MARTIN to go but instead of her just “I own a chestnut Quarter SOPHOMORE going, ‘okay we can go down Horse mare named Snickers this one’ she stopped and tried and every time we ride is a different experience but every time takes me to turn around to tell me she did not want to away from anything that I may be stressed or go down that way. Now when a horse does not overwhelmed about. A way to let go of negative listen to you you are supposed to make them feelings from school and homework and enjoy listen to you so I kicked her on forward,” Martin said. “I soon found out why she did not want a nice ride.” Riding horses did not start out as the calming to follow this path. It was a dead end. Snickers R E B E C C A M A R T I N | F O R V A N G U A R D experience it is now for Martin. She recounts taught me something that day, sometimes you just need to listen to the horse, she might know learning to ride a horse for the first time. Above: Sophomore Rebecca Martin stands with her chestnut Quarter “To ride a horse for the first time can be a bit more than you.” Horse mare named Snickers. scary because you have just been put on top of B Y

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Reynolds sacrifices to play rugby B Y

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ugby is far from the most popular sport in the United States. In a 1992 sports study conducted by the University of Tempere, Professional Rugby was the 99th most popular sport while its padded (and relatively safer) cousin NFL football took first place. Because very few people in the United States play, there are few teams directly connected to schools. This makes it rather difficult to find a team. However, these challenges have not stopped junior Kassandra Reynolds from playing or developing a passion for the sport. “I grew up watching my older brothers play rugby, so the interest was always kind of there. I went to most of their games and that meant traveling all over the country; because of this I have been around a lot of coaches and players most of my childhood,” Reynolds said. In eighth grade, Reynolds joined a high school level team called the Kent Crusaders. “I have stayed with the same team all the way through and consider it my team and family but this year I was also invited to play for a select team,” Reynolds said. “The select team, called Serevi Selects is made up from girls from all over the country and is coached by Olympic players.” Getting chosen for such an important team requires hard work, something that rugby players are constantly exposed to. “In rugby there are no time-outs, you can only

have a certain number of subs in one game, we team won their first two games, beating one team do not wear pads or helmets, the ball can only be that the Kent Crusaders had never beaten in the passed backwards and the game is 90 minutes so history of their club. As much as Reynolds enjoys the sport, the fact the endurance levels are extreme,” Reynolds said. “The conditioning to be able to do this, and do it that PHS does not have a rugby team can make well, is intense so you never stop working to be being a player hard. “It is more difficult because it is hard to recruit better and you can always go looking for more work. Rugby never gets boring because of the and get fields to play on. It also is more difficult to explain to some teachers that I constant [challenge].” will be absent for an out of state All of this work has paid off game that is not a school sport,” for Reynold’s team the Kent “STEPPING Reynolds said. Crusaders, as they recently took ONTO THE FIELD On top of that, rugby is well second place in the nation. THE FIRST known for being one of the most “My team got invited to go to DAY WAS... A dangerous team sports. nationals which were held in MIX OF PRIDE, “Rugby is pretty dangerous, Wisconsin this year and we almost JOY, R ELIEF especially if it is played in an did not get to go this year due to AND EXTREME unsafe way and I have seen my financial issues which was really N E RV ES.” fair share of injuries,” Reynolds hard on everyone,” Reynolds said. said. “We ended up, after a lot of hard None of this is enough to work, fundraising enough to go.” KASSANDRA REYNOLDS deter Reynolds from rugby and The practices right before JUNIOR she continues to love and make the tournament were extremely sacrifices for the sport. intense but the conditioning paid “Rugby definitely makes it hard to have free off when the team got on the field. “Stepping onto the field the first day was unlike time to work on school or be with friends who do anything else, it was a mix of pride, joy, relief and not play the game but the trade is worth it to me,” extreme nerves. A lot of our girls were first year Reynolds said. “The passion involved in rugby is players, so this was a huge thing for us to even be unlike any other sport I have been involved with. there but we worked extremely hard to make our You do not just play with your teammates, you play for them.” team remembered,” Reynolds said. Their goal was certainly accomplished, as the

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Above: Junior Kassandra Reynolds, who sports the number 22 on the back of her jersey, heads into a huddle with her team, the Kent Crusaders, before a game.

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broken Arabic—if they knew where it was. I think all they could make of what I was wo best friends, both looking for asking was the word ‘olive.’ They took me direction, found the same answer: to an olive tree and one of the boys took off an olive branch and handed it to me,” travel. Best friends, Nicholas O’Neill, a PHS Jacobsen said. “Since the olive branch is a Spanish teacher and Brandon Jacobsen, a universal symbol of peace, that moment Spanish teacher at Cascade Christian High was very significant for me. Here was an School, both decided to travel abroad to American guy receiving an olive branch gain more insight on what they wanted to from a Palestinian boy, an act that really brought us together.” do with their life after college. It was experiences like these that made “I was not sure what I wanted to do,” O’Neill said. “I had studied Spanish, I had traveling so influential for both O’Neill studied Business but I had not made any and Jacobsen. “That is what studying abroad is all real life decisions. I wanted to get away about, finding out how small the world and go experience another culture.” O’Neill studied Spanish at a small really is and how great it is to come community college in San Jose, Costa Rica together, realizing that barriers are for a month, studied Spanish literature not always necessary,” said Jacobsen. and culture at the University of Granada ‘We need this kind of understanding in Granada, Spain for six months, studied between people groups to flourish all with Jacobsen in Barcelona, Spain for a over the world, because there is still a lot summer to receive his Teaching English of conflict and many problems resulting to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from misunderstanding. This is why travel certifications and then taught English in can be so powerful—it promotes and nourishes intercultural understanding.” Chile for a year. O’Neill’s travels also promoted personal Although traveling to a foreign country may not usually be the most common way confidence. “I remember being on the plane coming to find answers in life, they both speak home from Spain after having been there very highly of their experiences. “Through my experiences I found for six months. I was reflecting on the passion and a real appreciation for experience and thinking, ‘Wow, I did it. teaching,” O’Neill said. “[My time abroad] I was by myself for the last six months,’” really helped me to figure out what I O’Neill said. “I felt like I had made it. I wanted to do in life. It was eye opening felt like I was grown up for the first time in my life. You realize how strong you are and enlightening.” as a person and how Jacobsen, who studied “THAT IS WHAT you can depend on Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies in Cairo, Egypt for a S T U D Y I N G A B R O A D yourself.” IS A L L A BOU T, O’Neill found that year, lived in Argentina for two years and then studied F I N D I N G O U T H O W traveling expands your in Barcelona, Spain for a S M A L L T H E W O R L D friendship circle. R E A L LY IS.” summer, found similar “I have gained a lot results from his time abroad. of amazing friends “I took away a love for BRANDON JACOBSEN and what I consider language,” Jacobsen said. COMMUNITY family. I am still really “Traveling was probably the connected with some most influential thing in of my host families,” O’Neill said. “We talk deciding to become a Spanish teacher.” They both also benefited many other pretty regularly, we send gifts and I am ways from their experiences abroad. looking forward to hopefully going back O’Neill found that he was able to connect this summer to visit some of the people I his previous schooling with the places that met, especially in Chile.” Jacobsen agrees. he was able to travel to. “I have also gained a lot of friendships “I began to see things that I had read about in books,” O’Neill said. “It is amazing that I will most likely have for the rest of my life,” Jacobsen said. “Some of my to have the opportunity to do that.” Jacobsen found that most places were very best friends live in other parts of the world.” like a home away from home. However they also emphasize that “There are welcoming people all over the world,” Jacobsen said. “Even though I traveling and stepping out of your comfort was a foreigner in all of these places, I have zone has its challenges. “We become accustomed to a certain never once felt unwelcome.” Whether they were learning new things lifestyle that we have here in the states,” or meeting new people, both told stories O’Neill said. “[Speaking a] different of times where supposed barriers were language can be stressful, different foods can be hard to adapt to and living without broken down. “I remember traveling to Jerusalem certain comforts can be really difficult.” But they stress that these challenges while I was studying in Cairo. It was around the time of Easter and I was wandering should not discourage you from traveling. “The funny thing is, those times where through East Jerusalem looking for the Mt. of Olives. I saw two Palestinian boys you are able to get out of your comfort playing soccer and I asked them—in my zone are some of the most valuable

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Above: PHS Spanish teacher Nicholas O’Neill and Cascade Christian Spanish teacher Brandon Jacobsen stand in front of the Renowned Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain.

moments,” Jacobsen said. “Traveling In order to avoid some unnecessary taught me to value different perspectives challenges, O’Neill says to be aware of the and experiences.” different customs of the country. They both highly recommend traveling, “Always make sure you read up about the whether you are looking for direction or place that you are going to,” O’Neill said. just for a different experience. “[Learn] about the public transportation, “If you are thinking about [studying words or hand-signals specific to certain abroad], do it,” O’Neill said. “I think places. Get yourself traveling is something prepared so you have “... [ SE E I NG ] everyone needs to do. It A N O T H E R W A Y O F an idea of what is going does not matter where L I F E W I L L R E A L L Y on.” you go, you do not have J a c o b s e n CHALLENGE THE to study a language. Just r e c o m m e n d s WAY YOU THINK getting the opportunity to embracing the culture ABOUT THE see another way of life will of the country. WOR L D...” really challenge the way you “Hang out with the think about the world and NICHOLAS O’NEILL locals. Go off the main SPA NISH TE ACHER your life in general.” roads and wander Both emphasize that around a little bit. Eat while traveling can be expensive, there are the food. Speak the language. Get way out ways to keep the expenses low. of your comfort zone. Listen way more “Generally speaking, apart from than you speak. And have fun,” Jacobsen having to purchase a plane ticket, if you said. go through an approved study abroad Flexibility will enhance your travel program with a college or university, your experience, according to O’Neill. tuition that you are already paying for “You need to be open to new that particular semester or quarter, will be experiences, new foods, new everything. directly applied to your abroad studies,” When you go abroad you have to just take O’Neill said. advantage of the moments that you can, However, they say traveling on your own even if they maybe seem a little boring or can be just as rewarding. not something that you would generally “To keep costs low, do not stay in hotels. do. Just take it in and go for it,” O’Neill Stay in hostels or camp out when you can. said. “You never know if you are going to The more you can live like a local, the less be back to that one place or have another you will spend usually,” Jacobsen said. experience like that again.” “The best experiences you will have living According to both O’Neill and Jacobsen abroad will most always be free anyway the joys of travel are unmatched. because they will involve the people you “Traveling is truly one of the best things meet and the relationships you make.” a person can do,” Jacobsen said.

Want to see your name in print?

Registration for 2014-2015 is coming. See Coyer in room 216 for details on how to become part of the program.

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Technology has immersed itself so fully into the world that it is normal to have an entire relationship through a phone or a computer. We can talk to somebody in australia, Boston or Singapore. The internet has brought a new medium of communication and has proven time and time again that physical touch is not necessary to a happy relationship. The movie “Her” explores the concept of being in a relationship such as that- with no touch, that is. in fact, the romance of this story is between a man and his computer. it is directed by Spike jonze, who also directed “Where the Wild Things are” (2009) and “Being john Malkovich” (1999), both of which have components of the strange and supernatural. When viewing “Her,” one has to suspend reality. you cannot think “this guy is in love with his computer, what a loser” and enjoy the movie; you have to think something closer to “this guy is in love w i t h his computer. Weird. at least he found love somewhere so that is good i guess.” The movie shows the life of a Theodore Twombly (joaquin Phoenix), who works at a company where he writes poignant and personal letters for people who cannot express themselves so well. Theodore spends his time between “video games and internet porn.” Theodore is about to get divorced to the girl he grew up and fell in love with. Theodore is depressed and lonely. introverted and isolated, Theodore hears about and then buys a futuristic new operating system that’s equipped with artificial intelligence. it is designed to evolve and adapt itself. Theodore sets it up with a female voice (Scarlett johansson.) The operating system promptly names herself Samantha. Time goes on and Theodore and Samantha fall in love, facing the struggles of any normal relationship alongside with the fact that Samantha is essentially a disembodied voice. it is a strange story, and might leave some feeling weirded out. But the parallels of modern “long distance relationships” and the plot of “Her” managed to help normalize the peculiar romance. The aesthetic is futuristic, with architecture and furniture containing the modern elements of sharp, crisp lines and soft roundness that is reminiscent of an iPhone. The attire is slightly retro and the color palette is slightly pastel. The ease of which everyday artificial intelligence was so easily integrated into everyday life is a little unnerving; Theodore’s coworker does not bat an eye when told that Theodore’s girlfriend is an operating system and not human. Besides the sleek look, something that i enjoyed was the evolution of Samantha: instead of solely serving as a computer and girlfriend to Theodore, she works to better herself and learn more. She is constantly absorbing material and talking with other operating systems and people. Many romance stories are extremely formulaic and painfully stuffed with flat characters and forced love triangles. “Her” had a refreshing theme of personal growth. read the rest of this story at vikingvanguard.com

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wonderful job integrating familiar elements of the old cartoon The same theater, same time, into this new movie, same friends—another unexpected while putting a journey. after the first installment purely jackson spin of director Peter jackson’s The on the film. one of the first Hobbit trilogy of movies, i thought silhouetted characters i knew what to expect. i thought i knew that i was in the beginning scene in for another extremely of the movie is actually long but well done movie, jackson, who walks by one where every detail is the camera munching looked into thoroughly away on a carrot. i thought it was absolutely and perfected. i was partially right hilarious that he appeared but something very in his own film. The entire unexpected happened. movie is filled with little even though it was past tiny nods to the cartoon midnight, after a long day movie and to The Lord of the of school, with class starting Rings. one of my favorite parts of at 7:45 that morning, the movie still seemed The Hobbit: The Desolation to fly by. not a moment of Smaug is when one of the of drowsiness. each dwarves mentions his son scene was filled with gimly, who is featured in the something rivetingly epilogue The Lord of the Rings. new, with a touch of the The little hidden connotations in phrases and scenes really familiar. The cartoon movie makes the movie more enjoyable of The Hobbit is to watch and brought me back to something i look back nostalgic roots. But even without past to my childhood on with a great experiences, the movie standalone fondness. jackson was excellent. The actors were did a absolutely amazing at conveying the character’s emotions and B y PA t R i c k FA i R B A n k s A & e e d i t O R

personalities. transitions happened rather briskly The locations and at spontaneous spots. and and backgrounds then there is the water and barrels throughout the film scene… When you watch the movie were awe-inspiring. everything seems perfect and real. The camera work, But the scene where the dwarves overall layout and the are floating down a river in elven design of each set was wine barrels, it was almost like flawless. it seemed they strapped a goPro to one of as if the characters the wine barrels and had it float were truly inside of the down the rapids. it was almost cabin-home of a giant sickening to watch. humanoid or in a grand But overall, the movie was mountain hall in Middle unexpectedly memorable and earth. enjoyable to watch. i cannot and then there is wait for the third and final Smaug, the terrible. it installment of The Hobbit, so seemed as if each scale that between The Hobbit and on the giant dragon were The Lord of the Rings, you real. every movement he can have a movie marathon made inside the cramped that will last over 24 straight mountain halls perfectly hours. juxtaposed his immense size. i highly recommend one of the few complaints watching both The Hobbit: would be that jackson almost An Unexpected Journey put in too much of his own flair and The Hobbit: The into the movie. There was a lot of Desolation of Smaug. stuff added into the movie that They are rock.and who was not in Tolkien’s original novel, knows, maybe you will which i suppose had to be done find some things about because the rather small novella the movie that you was turned into three extremely truly enjoy like i have, long and detailed movies. if you something truly, have not read through the book unexpected. though, this will not be a problem. i also could complain about some scene transitions and one scene in particular. i felt that some of the

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the game was in the side me is a glaring unchanged from “Batman: arkham “ u n f o r T u n a T e l y missions, challenges and lack of innovation the hundreds of puzzles that just leads to city” with the THe gaMe iS made by the riddler, who an, “it’s just okay, exception of noT even in is called enigma in this i have seen all of it some fine tuning. THe realM of before” experience iteration. Batman is qualiTy found nothing all of the great things because faster and more i n T H e P r e v i o u S deathstroke agile than the the game offers is new was added to rockSTeady to deadshot, previous games nothing compared to the experience. g a M eS.” Batman faces off but lacks most in video games seeing the Batcave for against a variety of of the gadgets. the first time in the there are two things i kyle SMiTH comic book villains in all honesty, rePorTer series. The Batcave can not stand. a bad in “Batman: arkham i am glad that may be insignificant narrative and the game origins” for the Xbox Warner Bros. games Montreal did and small but i had wanted to not working. “Batman: 360. not change much of the combat. explore the Batcave since the first arkham origins” froze “Batman: arkham The freeflow combat system game came out. So that small detail mid-game more times origins” is the third built by rocksteady is one of was important to me. than i have seen school game in the series my favorite combat mechanics for snow, Small details tend to make canceled started by rocksteady out there. it consists of simple, games more impressive in the which is a lot. granted, Studios. This installment easy-to-understand controls, way that they illustrate the my Xbox 360 has been was developed by Warner working off of an attack, stun world, like finding references through more trauma Bros. games Montreal. and counter button, but still to other characters such as the than most. Still, i should “arkham origins” is contains surprising amounts green arrow or Zatanna. Small not have to reset my Xbox a prequel to the other of depth. details can also tear the player to continue playing. games starring a lessWarner Bros. games in theory if you have from the story in a game. for experienced Batman near perfect timing of button example, there is surprisingly Montreal must not have the start of his career. in combinations, with standard no backstory between Black reached too far into their my personal experience the attacks and c o u n t e r Mask and Batman. wallets during the creation game made efforts to live up a t t a c k s “Batman: arkham of course there was plenty of, you will to its predecessors but fell never in the comic book series origins” because the section just a little short of reaching considering Black Mask of gotham the game takes their quality. The rocksteady is a longtime antagonist place in is the exact same one games did not have nearly as of Batman. it still would from “Batman: arkham city” many glitches have made the game more just expanded a little. even in this installment fulfilling and complete if my father, who never played gotham is full of holiday some of the backstory was any of the games, thought it cheer, criminals and Batman. looked exactly the same as the shown and revisited. The game starts out with on the subject of small last one. Batman trying to This Batman adventure details and the story line, the eight death-dealing delivers a great game experience assassins i mentioned even with all of its flaws. if you are before get pushed off to a Batman fan, get this game. The take damage. The main story of the the side as if the game story manages to feel like it was apprehend the game starts off slow developers momentarily taken straight from the comics. criminal Black but eventually pulls forgot what their main i played through all of “Batman: Mask as he tears up Blackgate you into the television plot was. arkham origins” for its narrative Penitentiary. in a natural screen resulting in The game is not that struck home in my bat-shaped narrative fashion, Batman fails some shamefully without some major heart. for those not interested in to stop Black Mask. To worsen the long nights. if you problems. as i said the story there are some extras for situation, eight of the best assassins were to just play the before, this game has you, although they are pulled off from the dc entertainment comic main story “Batman: brought nothing new better in its predecessors. book universe have been hired to arkham “Batman: arkham origins” origins” to the table other than kill Batman on christmas eve. a great standalone would be very short. some fine tuning and provides The gameplay remains entirely Most of my time with one gadget which to experience that is of a higher quality.

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h o u g h rated lowly by most movie critics and only 48 percent “fresh” rating on the website Rotten Tomatoes, “The Secret Life of aspires Walter Mitty” is a movie that cannot be to be a man of judged by its cover. Having both fictional wits, humor and and realistic characteristics, this movie is taste in his dreams equally inspiring and down-to-earth. but never quite puts I entered the movie theater not quite them to action; until the sure what to expect. The first part of day his job responsibilities the movie seemed somewhat confusing requires him to be the as I was not quite sure if there was any adventurer he has always longed particular plot other than this man’s life of to be and experience the world. day-dreams. But as the movie progressed As entertaining as it was to watch the I found myself leaning forward and audience gasp at breathtaking scenes and gaining a sudden interest lean forward in their chairs, and intensity I had never I soon found myself doing “ I K N O W I W A S the same. Little thrills and felt regarding a movie N O T T H E O N L Y moments of emotion are a before. VIEWER WHO “The Secret Life of common occurrence; this LEFT FEELING Walter Mitty” is the kind movie really makes you feel UTTERLY of movie that draws you something. Pure emotion, MOV E D.” in with little pieces of raw humor and inspiration curiosity that begin to encompass the entirety of JAYCEE HOUSE spark a fire and once it it. AD MANAGER ends, leaves you with One thing the movie the roaring flame of very well could have done inspiration. I know I was not the only without was the mild language and hints viewer who left feeling utterly moved. of inappropriate, crude humor. There This movie will have you leaving in tears were a few parts that made my cheeks because of the meaning in the humorous flush out of embarrassment and looking yet significant ending. around the theater to cover any child’s Ben Stiller plays Walter Mitty, a negative ears. Though I came with the mindset asset for Life magazine. A middle- aged, that it was a family movie, I am sure it was ambiguous, good-natured man who humorous to older audiences.

In spite of relatively low reviews, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” dreams up a whimsical adventure. I absolutely loved and adored the part Kristen Wiig played as Cheryl Melhoff, Walter Mitty’s love interest and quite often his inspiration to be brave throughout the film. Cheryl Melhoff, a single mother and part of the Life magazine staff, helped Mitty throughout the show to encompass his dreams and fulfill his job to the highest fulfillment possible for such an employee. The end nearly had me in tears, which was surprising because I am not one to get misty eyed over a movie. The inspiration and warm feeling it left in my heart was the cause of my brimming tears. The raw emotion and a clear call to action that the movie concluded with was so real and left

me with a satisfactory smile on my face. If you are one to view movies based on what the critics say, I would advise to ignore their ratings and opinions this time and see this movie for yourself. I can almost guarantee you will not leave disappointed.

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CHEER COMPETES FOR SPOT AT STATE

Above: The cheer team takes a break from cheering during a home football game earlier this fall. Stunts performed at both practices and games like these are what prepared the girls for their competition this winter. we sharpen everything up and hit it all perfect than it tumbling,” Wolter said. There is more to the completion than just saying the should be okay,” Wolter said. The team has been working toward their goal for over cheers and smiling at the crowd. Straka explains the hile most sports seasons last around three six months. Cheer mom Julie Connolly explains the judging process. months, the cheer team practices all year long. “It is broken up into categories. There are 35 points for team’s intentions. The group of approximately 18 girls competed “I do not think they really expected cheer, 65 for the dance for their first time at Gig Harbor High to qualify for State since this was their portion. Inside the 35 “IT IS VERY “IT WAS SO FUN School and took first in their division, T O S E E E V E R Y O N E and 65 points there are E X C I T I N G S E E I N G first competition, but they will have a beating out Rogers High School. few more chances to qualify for State,” different categories you THE TEAM DO COME TOGETHER “It has been years since Puyallup High Connolly said. can earn points for,” S O W E L L . . . Y O U AND BE EXCITED School has competed,” cheer captain, “They started practicing last spring Straka said. KNOW THEY AND WORK senior, Paige Wolter said, “It was so fun Although the team won H A V E W O R K E D S O and they have put in a lot of work for TOGETHER TO DO to see everyone come together and be this. They practiced over the summer first in their division, they H A R D.” excited and work together to do our OU R BEST.” and during the school year. I could not did not qualify for State. best.” even guess how many hours they have “We need 65 points to J U L I E C O N N O L L Y PA IGE WOLTER Junior Emily Straka was also very dedicated to cheer.” qualify for State and we CHEER MOM SENIOR proud of the way her team performed. The win is not just exciting for the got 50 points,” Wolter said. “We did a really good job. All of our cheer girls but for the parents as well. “It is great that we won stunts hit, which is great since that was our first time ever but we would really like to qualify. We are making changes Connolly expresses her pride in the team. competing,” Straka said. “It is very exciting seeing the team do so well. It is and working to get a higher score so we can qualify for There are multiple divisions in a cheer competition. State by Jan. 25. Now we are even more determined to do rewarding for them and you know that they have worked Puyallup High School competed in the large tumbling so hard. So being a parent watching your child and her better.” division, with their only competitor being Rogers High Wolter shared that the girls are already making changes friends succeed at this when you know how many hours School. they have put in, it is a great feeling,” Connolly said. “It and working towards their overall goal. “They group it by sizes. So there is small, medium and “We need to make a lot of our moves cleaner. We were is an awesome group of girls and we are all so happy for large. There is co-ed and non-co-ed, tumbling and nonall pretty nervous and things went a little crazy but once them that they have done so well.” B Y

K A M E R A N M I L L E R R E P O R T E R

Wrestler Matt Voss undergoes recruitment

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Winner of last year’s state championship 220 pound 4A division, awarded for having a perfect season and honored for being one of several to receive Tacoma Athletic Commission’s Athlete of the Year award-senior Matt Voss has achieved all of these awards in wrestling. Matt Voss recounts what he remembers from when he began to wrestle. “I was five or six and my dad just asked me, ‘Do you want to try this sport called wrestling?’ I played football and a little bit of soccer here and there just for fun. [I even played] baseball a little bit up until 7th grade,” Voss said. As Voss began to push other sports aside, he remembers improving to match the level of competition. “I was not really that good of a wrestler until I got into junior high. That is when I started becoming above average and I started being more serious about wrestling. I stopped playing so much soccer and baseball, I started to wrestle more out of the year. I think that is when I started to get better,” Voss said. “The higher level of competition going from little kids club

wrestling to junior high made me realize on the board and there are only like seven that in order to be a better wrestler and guys who have won state championship have more success I needed to work hard- and you got to work with one of them. It just inspires you to achieve er.” greater,” Nivala said. Trent Nivala, a captain on Although Voss has achieved the wrestling team, used to several awards, he still aspires compete against Voss. to achieve more and work “Originally in junior high harder. we were kind of adversarial “There is still a lot of things to each other, we wrestled the out there that I have not done, same weight class, we wrestled all of the awards I do not have. in the same championship In a way it is pretty humbling against each other. We were saying, ‘you are doing a really like enemies, if that is what good job right now but there you consider it. Then we got are still things you can work to PHS it was kind of like ‘We are on the same team now,’ all on,’ but it is a good feeling. It of a sudden. Then we actually is something that you keep in MATT VOSS became close friends,” Nivala the back of your mind, you do SENIOR not use them to say, ‘Hey, I am said. better than you.’ You use them After Voss won the State Championship, Nivala was inspired to to say, ‘good job you have worked hard.’ work harder and to try and win the state You use it as motivation to work harder,” championship himself. Voss said. Bob and Lorri Voss, Matt Voss’s “It is definitely inspiring, he is a guy who you talk to every day, work with and drill parents, explain the impact they have seen with [every day]. Then all of a sudden he wrestling take on Voss’s life. “Matt puts in a lot of hard work. He realwins state championship and it is like, ‘wow that is so close to home.’ You look ly enjoys the sport. We are so proud that he

has worked so hard and that his hard work is paying off. Matt has lead a life on and off the mat most kids dream about. He truly has been blessed with all of his endeavors thus far. Wrestling has taught him leadership, teamwork, discipline and handling adversity in a positive manner,” Bob and Lorri Voss said. Wrestling has begun to affect Voss’s search for colleges, several colleges have offered him scholarship money for his wrestling talents. “[Wrestling] has become a major factor [in selecting a college]. I have decided that I want to wrestle in college, if the school does not have wrestling I am probably not going to [go there]. So wrestling is a big factor about [my] college [choice]. There are several schools that I am talking to and going through the recruiting process with and evaluating if they are offering me any scholarship money,” Voss said. “Without financial aid [the highest scholarship amount] would be about 50 percent tuition and full board. I think people see me as a different person, especially people that wrestle, with that work ethic and with that humility. It helps people understand me more, when I talk to them.”